Crane mounted log tongs



' 1957 M. R. HIBBARD ET AL 2,803,364

CRANE MOUNTED LOG VTONGS Filed June 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l Myrf/mn R.Hibbard Joseph L Riley INVENTORS Aug. 20, 19 57 M. R. HIBBARD EIAL2,303,364

- CRANE MOUNTED 1.0g TONGS Filed June 11, 1954' 3 Shets-Sheet 2 Myrf/ranR. H/bbard Joseph L Riley IN VEN TORS 7 BY I 36 Ame W M 20, 9 M. R.HIBBARD ETAL 2,803,364

CRANE MOUNTED LOG TONGS Filed June 11, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet s Myr fhanP.H/bbara Joseph L Riley INVENTORS WW EMU nit CRANE MOUNTED LOG TONGSMyrthan R. Hibhard, Portland, and Joseph L. Riley, Milwaukie, Greg.

This invention relates in general to improvements in tongs, and morespecifically to improvements in log tongs.

The primary object of this invention is to provide improved log tongswhich are so constructed wherein the individual tong members thereof maybe selectively opened by an operator of a crane carrying the log tongsso that the log tongs may be either selectively positioned with respectto a log for lifting the same or for dropping the log.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved log tongarrangement which includes a crane boom having sheaves carried thereby,a lifting line and a main trip line entrained over these sheaves and connected to the improved tong members which are the subject of thisinvention, the sheaves being arrangeable with respect to each other onthe boom whereas to vary the relationship of the log tongs with respectto the boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved tong memberswhich are so constructed whereby the tong members may be moved to openpositions by trip lines and at the same time be disposed at an angle tothe horizontal while a support frame for the tong members ishorizontally disposed whereby the log tongs of which the tong membersare apart may be utilized for taking a log from a pile or cold deck oflogs.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved log tongswhich includes a support frame having depending therefrom crossed tongmembers, the support frame being provided with guide means for trip linesections passing therethrough and connected to the tong members, theguide means being of such a nature whereby vertical movement of the tripline sections therethrough is permitted and at the same time bending ofthe trip line sections out of the general plane of the support frame isfacilitated.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a crane and shows thesame provided with the log tongs which are the subject of thisinvention, the log tongs being disposed in vertical alignment with theboom of the crane and having carried thereby a log;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the crane of Figure 1 and shows asheave carried by the boom thereof spaced longitudinally from itsposition of Figure l whereby the log tongs carried by lines of the craneare disposed transverse to the boom in order that a log carried by thelog tongs will be disposed in vertical alignment with the boom;

Figure 3 is another side elevational view of the crane of Figure l andshows the one sheave which was moved in Figure 2 now being mounted onthe cab of the crane in order to facilitate the dragging of a logtowards the 2,893,354 Patented Aug. 20, 1957;

crane by the tong members carried by lines entrained over the sheaves;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the log tongs and shows thegeneral details of the construction thereof when the tong members are inopen position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the log tongs of Figure4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure4 and shows the arrangement of guide rollers and pulley for one of thetrip line sections;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 77 of Figure4 and shows the general details of construction of the support frame ofthe log tongs and the manner in which the tong members are pivotallyconnected thereto; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged elevational view of the log tongs of Figure 4and shows the same provided with different trip line sections in orderto facilitate the movement of the tong members to an open position whilethe tong members are disposed at an angle to the horizontal and thesupport frame is disposed horizontally.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isbest illustrated in Figure 4 which are the subject of this invention,the log tongs being referred to in general by the reference numeral 16.The log tongs 10 includes a support frame which is referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 12. The support frame 12 is formed of apair of spaced parallel elongated plates 14 and 16 which are retained inspaced parallel relation by a plurality of transverse bolts 18. Theelongated plates 14 and 16 are spaced apart by a centrally located,smaller spacer plate 20.

Disposed between the lower portions of the elongated plates 14 and 16and pivotally connected thereto by longitudinally spaced, transverselyextending pivot pins 22 is a pair of depending links 24. The links 24have bifurcated lower portions 26 in which are received upper ends 28 oftong members 30. The tong members 30 are pivotally connected to thebifurcated lower ends 26 of links 24 by transverse pivot pins 32.

It is to be noted that the tong members 30 are identical and arepivotally connected together at their point of crossing by a transversepivot pin 34. The lower ends of the tong members 30 are provided withinwardly projecting prongs 36.

It is to be also noted that the links 24 are identical. However, thebifurcated lower ends 26 of the two links 24 are offset in oppositerelation in order that the offset relation of the two tong members 30may be compensated for.

In order that the log tongs it may be conveniently lifted, there isextending the upper portion of the plates 14 and 16 and also the spacerplate 26 a fastener 38. The fastener 38 removably secures to the supportframe 12 a clevis 40. As is best illustrated in Figure 4, the clevis 40passes through an eye 42 carried by the lower end of a lifting cable 44.

In order that the tong members 30 may be selectively moved to openpositions for either engaging the tong members over a log or forreleasing a log, there is provided a pair of identical trip linesections 46. The trip line sections 46 are in the form of elongatedcables having eyes 48 at the lower ends thereof. The eyes 48 are engagedby clevises 50 pivotally connected to upstanding ears 52 on the tongmembers 30 by transverse pivot pins 54.

The trip line sections 46 pass upwardly between outer ends of the plates14 and 16 and are provided at their upper ends with eyes 56. The eyes 56are connected together by a clevis 58 which is in turn carried by an eye69 at the lower end of a main trip line 62. Referring now to Figure 6 inparticular, it will be seen that carried by the end portions of theplates 14 and 16 between these plates are pulleys 64. Each pulley 64 ismounted on a transverse headed pivot pin 66 which is retained within theplates 14 and 16 against rotation by a small block 67 welded to theouter face of plate 16. The pivot pih 66 is provided with a threaded endcarrying a nut 68. The nut 68 is retained against rotation by a block 69welded to the outer face of plate 14. The pulleys 64 are so positionedwithin the ends of the support frame 12 that the trip line section 46ride over and are entrained on the pulleys 64. v

Inorder to prevent the accidental displacement of the trip line sections46 from between the'plates '14 and 16, there is, carried by the extremeupper outer corners of the support frame 12 transverse rollers 70. Thetransverse rollers '78 are mounted on transverse pivot pins 72 and undercertain circumstances engage the trip line sections 46 to act askeepers.

Under certain circumstances it is desired that the upper parts of thetrip line sections 46 be disposed at an angle to the general plane ofthe support frame 12. In order to facilitate the free running of thetrip line sections 46 between the plates 14 and 16, there is carried bythe plate 14 at the upper edge thereof longitudinal rollers 74. Thelongitudinal rollers 74 are disposed generaly vertically above thepulley 64 and substantially within the general plane of the plate 14. Inorder to facilitate the mounting of the longitudinal rollers 74, thereis provided at each end of the plate 14 a pair of outwardly projectingears 76. The ears 76 together with the upper portions of the plate 14have journaled therein reduced ends78 which support the longitudinalroller 74 for rotation. It is noted that the longitudinal rollers 74 aretangent both with the inner face of the plate 14 and the upper edgethereof.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that there isillustrated a mobile crane which is referred to in general by thereference 80. The crane 80 includes a vehicle body 82 on which ismounted a cab 84 of the crane 80. It will be understood that the cab 84has mounted therein operating mechanism including a pair of drums 86.Mounted on one of the drurns 86 is an end of the main trip line 62 andmounted on the other of the drums is an end of the lifting line 44. I p

Pivotally connected to the front of the cab 84 as at 88 is an elongatedboom 90. The boom 90 is retained in a vertically adjusted position by acable 92.

Carried at the other end of the boom is a pair of sheaves 94 and 96,only the sheave 94 being illustrated in Figure l. Entrained over thesheave 92 the main trip line 62 and entrained over the sheave 96 isthelifting line 44. Inasmuch as the sleeves 94 and 96:81? in transversealignment with respect to the boom 90, the lifting line 44 and the maintrip line 62 extend downwardly from the upper end of the boom 98 inparallel relation. This results in the log tongs 10 to be disposed in avertical plane substantially coplanar with the center of the boom 99.When the tongs 10 are so disposed, a log 98 carried thereby will have atendency to pivot relative to the boom 90 and may be guided into adesired position at any desired angle to the longitudinal axis of theboom.

Referring now to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that the sheave.94 has been moved downwardly on the boom 9 towards the cab 84 When thesheave 94 Referring now to Figure 3 in particular; it will-be seen 7that the boom 90 of the crane 80 has been lowered and.

that the sheave 94 has now been moved rearwardly an is mounted on amounting bracket 100 of the cab 84. The main trip line 62 is entrainedover the sheave 94 and causes the lifting tongs to be disposedtransverse of the boom 90. When the sheaves 94 and 96 are so arranged,the log tongs 10 may be positioned longitudinally of the boom 90 asdesired for engaging the center of the log 98.

Referring now to Figure 8 in particular, it will be seen that the logtongs 10 have had the trip line sections 46 removed and replaced by tripline sections 102 and 104. It is. to be noted that the trip linesections 102 and 104 are mounted in the same manner as the trip linesections 46. However, the trip line section 104 is much longer than thetrip line section 102. Thus, when the trip line sections 102 and 104 aretensioned to move the tong members 30 to open positions, the tongmembers 30 to which the trip line section 102 is attached is pulled upcloser to the support frame 12 than usual and the tong member 39 towhich the trip line section 104- is attached is disposed lower thanusual with respect to the support frame 12. 7 Thus, it will be seen thatby providing trip line sections which are of different lengths the tongmembers 30 may be moved to open positions and be disposed at an angle tothe horizontal while the support frame 12 with the log tongs 10 remainin a horizontal position.

Inasmuch as one tong member 30 may be disposed higher than the othertong member 30 when the two tong members are in open positions, it willbe seen that the tong members 30 can be easily engaged with logs ofapile or cold deck of logs. In order to engage the tong members 30 withlogs at the side of a pile of logs, the log tongs 30 when opened asillustrated in Figure 8, are swung into the pile logs 98 and theuppermost tong member 30 is hooked over the log to be lifted out of thepile. Inasmuch as the upper tong member 30 is hooked over the log to belifted, it will be seen that when the tong members 30' are moved toclosed positions, the log 98 to be lifted will be firmly graspedtherebetween and may be lifted out of its associated pile.

In the operation of the log tongs 10 in mid air, the

tong members 30 are moved to open position by slacking on the liftingline 44 so that the weight of the log tongs 10 may be imposed on themain trip line 62. This results in the tensioning of the trip linesections to move the tong members 30 to open positions.

After the tong members 30 have been properly engaged about a log 98 tobe lifted, the lifting line 44 is tensioned while the main trip line 52is either slacked or remains in the same position so that it becomesslacked and th log tongs 10 operated in a normal manner.

With the lifting tongs 10, a log, such as the :log 98 may either be setinto position and then released from the tong members 39 or may bereleased in mid air and dropped, for example in the water or the like.When it is desired to release a log 98, it is merely necessary to slackthe lifting line 44 while tensioning the main trip line 62. This willresult in the opening of the tong members 30 irrespective of theposition of the log 98. When a' log is being set in position on theground or on a truck, it is first positioned as desired and then thetrip line 62 is tensioned to release the tong members 30.

Although the lifting tongs 10 have been specifically illustrated anddescribed as being carried by a crane, such as the crane 80, the liftingtongs 10 are not so limited in use. It is to be understood that thelifting tongs 10 may be utilized with any piece of equipment providedwith two drums for the independent operation of two lines.

' During the operation of the lifting tongs 10 in confined spaces, thetong member need not be fully opened, but may be opened only the amountrequired to pass around a log by retaining the trip line 62 undertension and slack ing off on the lifting line 44'only a slight amount.It is pointed out at this time that when tension on'the lifting line 44is released, the weight of the upper portion of the lifting tongseffects a buckling action on the links 24 and the upper ends 28 of thetong members 30 to cause spreading apart of the lower ends of the tongmembers 30. This action is an addition to the pulling effect of the triplines 46.

-When the sheaves 94 and 96 are spaced apart, the log 98 may bepositioned relative to the boom 91) by tensioning the trip line 62.However, when performing this operation the lifting line 44 must besufficiently tensioned to present tripping of the tong member 16. Alsothe lifting tongs 10 may be initially swung away from the crane 84) inan action similar to that of a drag line operation and then positionedthrough the use of the trip line 62.

The log 98 may be retained in the position illustrated in Figure 1 byreplacing the trip line 46 by a single trip line having a bight portiondisposed below the clevis 53. A trip line sheave will be engaged withthe bight portion of the single trip line and connected to the clevis52% in depending relation by a second clevis. The sheave 94 is thenpositioned at a point intermediate the ends of the boom 99.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been illustrated anddescribed log tongs which are so constructed and arranged whereby theymay be conveniently positioned over any log to be lifted and which havetong members which are selectively openable and closable so that a logmay be lifted by a crane operator without a helper and the log may bereleased at anytime.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Log tongs comprising a support frame, a pair of tong memberspivotally carried by said support frame in depending relation, a liftingline connected to said support frame, trip line sections passing throughand guidingly engaging said support frame, lower ends of said trip linesections being connected to said tong members, upper ends of said tripline sections being connected to a main trip line whereby the log tongsmay be selectively raised and lowered simultaneously with the trippingof said tong members, one of said trip line sections being shorter thanthe other of said trip line sections, whereby said tong members may bemoved to a fully open position and simultaneously be disposed at anangle to the horizontal with said support frame being horizontallydisposed.

2. Log tongs comprising a support frame, a pair of tong memberspivotally carried by said support frame in depending relation, a liftingline connected to said support frame, trip line sections passing throughand guidingly engaging said support frame, lower ends of said trip linesections being connected to said tong members, upper ends of said tripline sections being connected to a main trip line whereby the log tongsmay be selectively raised and lowered simultaneously with the trippingof said tong members, one of said trip line sections being shorter thanthe other of said trip line sections, links disposed between said tongmembers and said support frame, said links being pivotally connected toboth said support frame and said tong members whereby said tong membersmay be moved to a fully open position and simultaneously be disposed atan angle to the horizontal with said support frame being horizontallydisposed.

3. Log tongs comprising a support frame, a pair of tong memberspivotally carried by said support frame in depending relation, a liftingline connected to said support frame, trip line sections passing throughand guidingly engaging said support frame, lower ends of said trip linesections being connected to said tong members, upper ends of said tripline sections being connected to a main trip line whereby the log tongsmay be selectively raised and lowered simultaneously with the trippingof said tong members, said support frame being formed of a pair ofelongated plates, a smaller spacer plate disposed between and secured tosaid elongated plates to retain said elongated plates in spaced parallelrelation, links having upper ends disposed between lower portions ofsaid elongated plates and pivotally connected thereto by spaced pivotpins, said tong members being disposed in crossed relation and pivotallyconnected together, upper ends of said tong members being pivotallysecured to lower ends of said links, said trip line sections passingbetween spaced ends of said elongated plates, a pulley carried betweeneach pair of ends of said elongated plates, said trip line sectionsbeing entrained over said pulleys, transverse rollers extending betweensaid plate ends and overlying said trip line sections and retaining thesame between said plate ends.

4. Log tongs comprising a support frame, a pair of tong memberspivotally carried by said support frame in depending relation, a liftingline connected to said support frame, trip line sections passing throughand guidingly engaging said support frame, lower ends of said trip linesections being connected to said tong members, upper ends of said tripline sections being connected to a main trip line whereby the log tongsmay be selectively raised and lowered simultaneously with the trippingof said tong members, said support frame being formed of a pair ofelongated plates, a smaller spacer plate disposed between and secured tosaid elongated plates to retain said elongated plates in spaced parallelrelation, links having upper ends disposed between lower portions ofsaid elongated plates and pivotally connected thereto by spaced pivotpins, said tong members being disposed in crossed relation and pivotallyconnected together, upper ends of said tong members being pivotallysecured to lower ends of said links, said trip line sections passingbetween spaced ends of said elongated plates, a pulley carried betweeneach pair of ends of said elongated plates, said trip line sectionsbeing entrained over said pulleys, transverse rollers extending betweensaid plate ends and over lying said trip line sections and retaining thesame between said plate ends, longitudinal rollers carried by one ofsaid elongated plates at the upper edge thereof, said longitudinalrollers engaging said trip line sections to permit twisting of said tripline sections out of the general plane of said support frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 362Lobdell Aug. 18, 1837 1,369,963 Carlson Mar. 1, 1921 1,434,478 CarlsonNov. 7, 1922 1,523,972 Johnson Jan. 25, 1925 1,727,942 Savini Sept. 10,1929 1,731,970 Carlson Oct. 15, 1929 1,781,518 Munn Nov. 11, 19302,025,340 Crocker Dec. 24, 1935 2,160,891 Neff June 6, 1939 2,367,912Westfall Ian. 23, 1945 2,486,479 Kennedy Nov. 1, 1949 2,587,217 QuenanFeb. 26, 1952 2,656,212 Eckstein Oct. 20, 1953

